NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/823575
60 NEBRASKAland • MAY 2017 Eugenia Bone, author of Mycophilia: Revelations from the Weird World of Mushrooms. I have a friend who wonders why her property doesn't produce morels when it seemingly meets all the "right" conditions. And in some areas, I'll find morels one year and then won't see them the next. No one really knows why. Science has yet to crack the great morel conundrum, but that only adds to their allure. What to Wear Spring in Nebraska is an exciting time of year – you can experience warm, sunny days or wet, drizzly conditions. On cloudy days, the April or May air can still hold a slight chill. A waterproof, breathable windbreaker is my favorite top to wear while mushroom hunting. It's thin enough that I won't get too hot, but will also help protect me from any unexpected rain, sharp limbs and thorns while walking through the woods. I prefer jackets with zipper armpit vents to keep me cool, dry and comfortable. Also consider wearing a brightly colored jacket. Your companions will have a better time keeping track of you, and any turkey hunters in the area will have an easier time seeing you. Sturdy, waterproof wellingtons are my footwear of choice. I've found myself having to walk through mud and water puddles too often during morel season, and the boots' tall height also provides protection to your legs from low thorns, bushes and poison ivy. Lightweight, comfortable Muck Boots, or similar brands, are great for mushroom hunting, but do yourself a favor and get some support or comfort insoles – many of these rubber boots were not made for long periods of walking. The extra arch support will pay off after a whole day of hiking. If you prefer to wear hiking boots, a good pair of gaiters will also offer the same protection from brush. The coverage also helps prevent ticks from crawling up your pant leg, which is a common annoyance during mushroom season. However, to find mushrooms others haven't seen, you'll have to walk off the beaten path. Exploring is fun until you get caught in a nasty greenbrier vine, which will invariably happen sooner than later. Densely covered in thorns, these vines can grow longer than 30 feet and will hurt like the dickens when lodged into your flesh. The thought of savagely macheteing my way through the woods has crossed my mind – you know, like in the movies. But greenbriers are beneficial for wildlife, so avoidance and a pair of lightweight brush pants or long chaps will have to satisfy. A pair of work gloves is also not a bad accessory to have in the woods. What to Bring You don't need much to begin mushroom hunting. Some essentials are a mesh bag, pocketknife and walking stick, if you desire. I also carry bug spray, inexpensive sunglasses – free pair of Ray-Bans for anyone who can find them at Whitetail Wildlife Management Area – suntan lotion, water and snacks, and if I'm going to make a long day of it, I pack a light lunch to enjoy in the quiet woods or by a river or stream. To keep track of your progress, a map, GPS unit, compass and/or outdoor journal are other items to consider. Using a mesh bag is important. It will enable air to circulate through the bag, allowing mushrooms to "breathe" and stay fresh. Especially if it's hot out, using a plastic bag will create condensation, speeding up decomposition. Many experts also agree that using a mesh bag will allow collected mushrooms to drop their spores onto the forest floor as you walk around, helping to ensure the propagation of future morels. You can buy specially-made morel mushroom mesh bags, but reusing an onion bag will work just fine. A pocketknife is a good tool to have anytime you're out in the woods, but it's my preferred way to harvest mushrooms, especially when I have presentation for photos and cooking in mind. However you harvest your morels, though, remember not to pull up the whole mushroom, roots and all. Pinch or slice off the mushroom near the base of the stem. This will keep the root system underneath the earth intact, helping the patch to produce again next year. Jasmine Cutter of Delaware holds up a morel mushroom she found in Knox County.